GUYANA | David Granger, US Ambassador, Private Sector Congratulate New PNCR Leader

GEORGETOWN,  Guyana, December 21, 2021 - Newly elected  leader of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton has been congratulated by his predecessor, former president and party leader David Granger as well as United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, on his landslide internal election victory to his party’s top post over the weekend.

In a statement today, Mr Granger “assured the new Leader of his continued contribution to the Party, of his commitment to the satisfactory conclusion of the Party’s reform process, of his support for the Party’s programme and, also, of his adherence to the Party’s principles.” 

Mr. Granger reportedly expressed satisfaction that the process that was initiated by the presentation of the report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on Congress to the Central Executive Committee in April 2020 led to the convening of a safe and successful Congress in December.

Aubrey Norton secured 900 plus votes to win the leadership race by a landslide over the other contenders, Joseph Harmon and Dr. Richard Van West-Charles.

Releasing the official results for the party’s five top positions during a press conference on Sunday, Alexander disclosed that Norton secured 967 votes while Harmon raked in 245 votes and Dr. Van West-Charles, 64 votes. 

Mr. Norton, who has been with the PNCR for 49 years, is the fifth leader of that party Opposition Member of Parliament Shurwayne Holder, who hails from Region Two (Pomeroom-Supenaam), is poised to be the next Chairman of PNCR, replacing Volda Lawrence.

United States Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch, congratulated Mr. Norton on his election victory as PNCR Leader and looks forward to working with him on issues for the benefit of all Guyanese.”

Also extending congratulations to the new PNCR Leader is the Private Sector Commission which said it wants to meet with the new PNC Leader and is looking forward to a vibrant Opposition party under his leadership. 

“The Commission looks forward to Mr. Norton leading a strong, responsible, and vibrant opposition, upholding the Constitution and urging respect for the maintenance of law and order, as the leader of the major party in the APNU/AFC Coalition,” the Commission said in a statement today.

The organization was however not happy with a comment from Mr. Norton that he believed the Private Sector Commission was ‘politically biased,” and responded that Norton’s comment constituted unfair and inaccurate criticisms .

“The Private Sector Commission notes with regret Mr. Norton’s unfair and inaccurate criticisms of the Commission as “politically biased” and can only assume that his remarks were driven by the fact that the Commission, in the defense of democracy, vigorously opposed the attempt to rig the last election in favour of the APNU/AFC Coalition,” the PSC said.

The Commission said it welcomes Mr. Norton’s expression of interest in supporting the private sector and looks forward to the opportunity of inviting Mr. Norton to meet with the Commission.

The PSC noted that it remains an independent organization that addresses cross-cutting issues that affect the business community and by extension the people of Guyana.

Norton said he has no problem meeting with the Private Sector Commission but he firmly believes that as a civil society organization, it should be independent.